I woke up smiling. Thinking about the night before while laying there half asleep just put me in a good mood. There was a twinge in my ribs when I sat up, another reminder that last night wasn't just a dream, but I was loving that. I was more than a little excited about seeing her again, but then my pessimistic nature kicked in and I started questioning myself.
Was she really that cute or did the alcohol have something to do with it? Not that it really mattered, but in my mind I was picturing her as basically perfection.
She obviously walked all over me, the tenderness in my ribs, chest, and shoulders were proof of that, but did she really enjoy it? Maybe she was just humoring me and walked around on me because she felt bad for me.
Did she really want to see me again? It was right there in my scribbles, but was it accurate or did my beer soaked brain just imagine that's what she meant?
I spent the day exploring my new town, with my mind flip-flopping between excitement that I spent last night with the most amazing women I had ever met, and who wanted to see me again, and apprehension that I totally misread everything. Around 5:00 I cleaned up, got dressed, and started walking to the bar. I stopped a few times to stop my breath from shaking, almost turning around and going back home but deciding not to. I don't remember the last time I was this nervous. When I got to the bar I looked around but didn't see Jackie anywhere. After making two laps I sat at the bar and ordered a beer from the bartender. She brought it over and I just figured what the hell.
"Thanks. Hey, is Jackie around? I met her last night and was hoping she'd be here tonight."
"Mmm, no, sorry. I haven't seen her."
I thanked her, paid for the beer, and looked around the bar. I wasn't sure what I was looking for, obviously hoping that Jackie would in fact be there, but maybe just trying to recognise the locals and start being recognized myself. Whatever the reason, I didn't really feel like being there, so I killed the beer and walked out to grab a slice of pizza farther down the boardwalk.
There were a lot more people around than the previous night. It was a nice day so many of them were probably day trippers who were tired of being cooped up all winter. The food stands and restaurants were really busy, as were the arcades and game booths that were open. The bars that served food were busy too, but the ones that were just bars seemed quieter. I walked the mile and a half or so to the end of the boardwalk, then grabbed a slice on the way back, sitting on a bench to watch the ocean while I ate and mentally kicking myself for getting my hopes up. At this point I kind of needed a drink, so stopped into one of the quieter bars for a shot of tequila and a beer.
After a while I decided to walk to the other end of the boardwalk and then head home. I passed Jackie's bar at around 8:00 and it was hopping, but I didn't see her so just stuffed my hands in my pockets and kept walking until I felt someone grab my shoulder. As I was being pulled I heard a guy's voice say "Where are you going Slick?"
I turned, confused, and this giant guy was looking down at me while letting go of my shoulder. I knew I didn't bump into anyone, and really wasn't looking for trouble, especially not with this walking mountain. All I could think to say was "What?"
He pointed over his shoulder toward the bar with his thumb, saying "I don't know man, she just asked me to go catch you and say that."
I followed where he was pointing and there was Jackie, behind the bar and waving me over.
I laughed and thanked the bouncer she sent to get me, and my heart pounded as I walked over to her. I was wondering if women knew just how nervous guys can get when I heard her yell out "Heyyyyy!" over the sound of the bar. I really looked then and saw a beaming smile in a face just as beautiful as I remembered.
"Hey Jackie! I stopped by earlier and the other bartender said that she hadn't seen you."
"Mhmm, sounds about right. That's Maddie. She told me some guy came asking for me, but she thinks all guys are creeps so acts like an overprotective mother even though she's younger than most of us." Jackie looked around, stood on her toes, leaned closer to me, and said in a quieter voice "Plus I think she has a crush on me." Then she laughed, pushed my shoulder, and went hopping away to take care of some customers.
As she walked away I realized that she really was just as, well everything, as I remembered. Popping around the bar in a black Johnny Cash shirt, gray cutoff Daisy Dukes, those black stockings that are so sheer you can't really see them, and what looked like the same boots as the night before. The next thing I knew there was a beer sitting in front of me and Jackie saying "That one's on me, all that ogling is probably making you thirsty.", then gave me a wink and bounced away to put on The Jackie Show for the other customers.
I hung out all night, not quite drinking enough to get a buzz, and chatting with Jackie when I could. It was busier than the night before so we didn't chat much. When she called last call I settled my tab and waved to her. She yelled across the bar "Hey Max are you hungry? I'm starving."
"Yeah, come to think of it, I am pretty hungry."
"Great, Steaks Unlimited is still open, come grab a bite with me."
We walked a few blocks to a place that had the best cheesesteaks I've ever eaten. Now I'm not a big guy, but I had about 8 inches and 70 lbs on her, and she ate more at that 2:00am meal than I could eat on Thanksgiving. Where did she put it all?
"Sooooo... last night..."
I knew she would bring it up. I wanted to talk about it, but also didn't want to.
"Um, yeah. That was, um... sorry if I made you uncomfortable. That wasn't really a first night kind of thing. I guess I was more drunk than I thought."
"Ya think?"
My heart was sinking and I felt kind of sick, but then she laughed.
"I was actually surprised when I saw you tonight. Figured you'd be lying in bed with ice packs all over you."
I relaxed, glad that she at least had a sense of humor about it.
"Nah, I'm fine. A little tender in places, but fine. Honestly I'm still kind of in shock about how things went down last night."
"I'm glad you're alright, I was kind of worried that you'd be in rough shape when the alcohol wore off. I was kind of drunk, and kept thinking that I was calling your bluff and you would tell me that you were just joking, but you never did. So it IS kind of your fault too."
"Oh, it's entirely my fault. I was pretty drunk too, but I don't regret a second of it. Honestly I never would have worked up the nerve to talk about it if I was sober." I took a deep breath, that was it. It's out in the open.
She looked at me kind of funny, like she was trying to tell if i was joking or being serious.
"Really? So you're saying you enjoyed me walking and crunching around on you in these?" and she held up her foot to show me her boot. So they were the same ones.